Bryce Harper waves to the crowd after hitting a his second home run of the game. (Photo: Rob Carr, Getty Images) WASHINGTON -- Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper accepted his National League rookie of the year award just before the season opener, then immediately set his sights – and his bat – on more prestigious accolades. Harper hit booming home runs to right-center field in his first two at-bats against Miami Marlins pitcher, Ricky Nolasco. HARPER: Can he top his incredible rookie season? BOX SCORE: Marlins at Nationals MORE: Harper homers on first at-bat The 20-year-old who hit 22 home runs last season in a rookie year was eclipsed in production by only Los Angeles Angels prodigy Mike Trout. The left thumb, which bothered Harper during spring training, didn't appear to be an issue as he slammed Nolasco's second pitch into the first deck in right-center field, below the NL East Champions banner unveiled during pregame. Then in the fourth inning, Harper fouled off several Nolasco pitches before sending another bomb just to the right of his first to put the Nationals up 2-0. Harper answered the following dugout curtain call with a nod and a wave. He became the first defending rookie of the year to homer on opening day since Ryan Howard did it with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006.Harper also became the fourth Nationals player to hit a home run on Opening Day, joining Adam LaRoche (2006), Chad Tracy (2009) and Ryan Zimmerman (2008). Story Highlights